Superbowl Will Stream Live Over Internet

As Managing Editor for A New Domain I try to read all of our posts, especially the ones I didn’t write! One of my colleagues, Larry Press, clued me in to the NFL’s decision to stream the Superbowl, live. Wow. I’m a casual football fan but I always watch the Superbowl. No, it’s not just to see the ads!

Superbowl XLVI will be streamed live over the internet

I won’t rehash Larry’s comments, but I want to take a point from this subject- internet broadcasts are here to stay. As we see content subscription services such as Netflix and Spotify take off, we hear more and more complaining from the companies that are losing out. Businesses such as the cable and satellite providers are being pushed to the side as people can get more and more of what they want for less money. The major content hold out is typically said to be live sports. There’s no question that the Super Bowl is the largest sporting event in the US, so to have the NFL validate internet streaming as a viable option is wonderful.

I’m sure the cable and satellite providers are furious. Rather than furious, though, they should be scared. Technological advancements have made traditional television subscriptions less appealing or necessary. They need to provide value that we can’t get elsewhere. Maybe it’s time for them to embrace a la carte pricing models. Perhaps they should be delivering exclusive content. Perhaps they need to figure out what customer service means.

I don’t know what the solution is, but I know that the tables are finally turning on them, and I can’t say that I’m sad about it. For years the cable and satellite companies have been notorious for poor service and even poorer value. Many of us tolerated these business practices as we felt we had little choice. It looks like that time may soon be over.